Colleges Near Gulf Shores, Alabama
Looking for information about the best colleges and universities serving Gulf Shores? Here's your guide to the top schools offering degrees to students in the area, including institutions located within 40 miles of Gulf Shores, Alabama.
There are at least 8 colleges serving the area, including 3 private colleges and universities, 1 public college or university, and 2 community colleges offering 2-year degrees.
The Best Adult Colleges & Careers Guide provides a breakdown of the colleges serving Gulf Shores, with details about cost, enrollment, student type and degree offerings. Click here to learn more about the guide.
Gulf Shores, Alabama Colleges by the Numbers
Associate, bachelor's, masters, and doctoral degree completions at institutions near Gulf Shores, Alabama have been declining over the past 5 years. In 2022, students completed 12,612 doctorates at colleges and universities near Gulf Shores. That was a decrease of 8% from completions reported in 2018.
Schools with Degree Completions
Est. Total Completions in 2022
Est. Completions (Last 5 Years)
Sponsored
Top School For Adults & Online Students
Franklin University is a top choice for transfer students, online learners and adults who need to balance school with busy lives. Founded in 1902 in Columbus, Ohio, Franklin's main focus has been serving adult students and tailoring education to fit their needs. Nonprofit and accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org/800.621.7440), Franklin offers more than 50 bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs — all available 100% online.
Undergraduate Enrollment
4,444
Completions By Degree
1,820
Est. Online Degree Offerings
100%
Private Colleges & Universities Offering Degrees Near Gulf Shores, Alabama
There are at least 3 schools offering degrees near Gulf Shores, Alabama, and 3 are four-year private colleges or universities where about 16,037 undergraduate students were enrolled. In 2022, a total of 7,685 degrees were completed at private colleges and universities, including 7,685 that were offered online.
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Franklin offers more than 50 online bachelor's degrees, master's degrees and doctoral programs in the Gulf Shores, Alabama area. Franklin University is an institutionally accredited nonprofit 4-year school where most students attend classes part-time. Most of the students are adults and all programs completed were offered online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at Franklin University. In 2022, 1,011 bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 94 associate degrees, 676 master's degrees, and 39 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
4,444
Completions By Degree
1,820
Est. Online Degree Availability
100%
Completions by Program Area
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
United States Sports Academy is an institutionally accredited nonprofit 4-year school where most students attend classes part-time. Most of the students are adults and all programs completed were offered online. Master's degrees are the most popular at United States Sports Academy. In 2022, 25 master's degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 11 bachelor's degrees, and 16 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
68
Completions By Degree
52
Est. Online Degree Availability
100%
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Columbia Southern University is an institutionally accredited for profit 4-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are adults and all programs completed were offered online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at Columbia Southern University. In 2022, 2,691 bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 1,276 associate degrees, 1,817 master's degrees, and 29 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
11,525
Completions By Degree
5,813
Est. Online Degree Availability
100%
Public Colleges & Universities Near Gulf Shores, Alabama
There is 1 four-year public college located near Gulf Shores, Alabama. About 8,881 students were enrolled in undergraduate programs, and about 4,620 degrees were completed at public colleges near Gulf Shores. Tuition shown reflects in-state rates.
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
The University of West Florida is an institutionally accredited public 4-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and most programs completed were offered online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at The University of West Florida. In 2022, 2,264 bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 1,228 associate degrees, 1,106 master's degrees, and 22 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
8,881
Completions By Degree
4,620
Est. Online Degree Availability
69%
Completions by Program Area
Community Colleges Near Gulf Shores, Alabama
There are 2 community colleges near Gulf Shores, Alabama where students can earn 2-year associate degrees. In 2022, about 8,677 students were enrolled in undergraduate courses at community colleges near Gulf Shores, and about 2,031 associate degrees were completed.
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Pensacola State College is an institutionally accredited 2-year school where most students attend classes part-time. Most of the students are a mixture of traditional and adult aged and most programs completed were offered online.
Undergraduate Enrollment
6,792
Completions By Degree
1,739
Est. Online Degree Availability
72%
Completions by Program Area
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Bishop State Community College is an institutionally accredited 2-year school where most students attend classes part-time. Most of the students are a mixture of traditional and adult aged and most programs completed were offered online.
Undergraduate Enrollment
1,885
Completions By Degree
292
Est. Online Degree Availability
80%
Affordable Colleges Near Gulf Shores, Alabama
Wondering what you can expect to pay for a degree near Gulf Shores, Alabama? According to undergraduate tuition data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, the average tuition at Gulf Shores-area's 4-year nonprofit schools is $13,501. The average tuition at similar 4-year for-profit schools near Gulf Shores is $6,015, while tuition at 2-year online colleges and universities is N/A.
4-Year Nonprofit
4-Year For-Profit
2-Year
Accredited Colleges Serving Gulf Shores, Alabama
Earning a college degree is an investment — and earning a degree from an institutionally accredited university is one of the best ways to ensure your education is of high quality. Institutionally accredited universities are held to rigorous standards by state and regional bodies and undergo regular reviews to verify that their processes and academic programs meet the proper standards.
Wondering if a certain college or university offering degree programs in Gulf Shores, Alabama is institutionally accredited? View a list of institutionally accredited colleges and universities serving Gulf Shores, Alabama here. We've made it easy to find your school by breaking down the list by school type.
- Franklin University
- United States Sports Academy
- Pensacola State College
- Bishop State Community College
- Columbia Southern University
Gulf Shores, Alabama Job Market & Opportunities
What happens after you earn your college degree in Gulf Shores? What's the Gulf Shores, Alabama job market outlook? Get a snapshot of jobs and careers, including annual job openings, median earnings and more.
In 2022, there were about 571,110 jobs in the Gulf Shores, Alabama area. From 2021-2022, job growth in Gulf Shores was below the national average, at 2.7%. There were 74,463 job openings in the area. In terms of earnings, workers in Gulf Shores do worse than the national average, with an average hourly pay of $18.31.